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Adrian Evans is one of two student-athletes to receive the Ernest B. McCoy Memorial Award in 2014, joining track and cross country's Emily Giannotti

Image: GoPSUsports.com

Nittany Lion trio honored with student achievement awards

March 27, 2014

Nittany Lion trio honored with student achievement awards

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- A trio of Nittany Lion student-athletes have been honored with Penn State Student Achievement Awards, as Adrian Evans (men's gymnastics) and Emily Giannotti (women's track/cross country) were named the recipients of the 2014 Ernest B. McCoy Memorial Award and Evan Foulsham (women's lacrosse) was named a John W. Oswald Award honoree.

All three student-athletes were recognized Sunday at the University's annual Student Awards Ceremony. The ceremony was held at Eisenhower Auditorium on the University Park campus.

The McCoy Award is presented annually to one senior male and one senior female student-athlete who have combined successful athletic participation with academic excellence. The award is named for Ernest B. McCoy, who was Penn State's Athletic Director and Dean of the College of Physical Education from 1952-70. His name adorns the Penn State natatorium.

A native of Boulder, Colo., Evans earned his second consecutive All-America honor on the pommel horse at the 2013 NCAA Men's Gymnastics Championships. Outside of the gym, the advertising major and 2014 team captain earned College Gymnastics Association All-America Scholar-Athlete honors the last three seasons, while also earning a spot on the Academic All-Big Ten team.

Recently, he was selected as one of nine finalists for the 2014 Nissen-Emery Award. Widely regarded as one of the most prestigious honors in collegiate gymnastics, Evans is the 26th Nissen-Emery finalist in Penn State program history.

Giannotti, who is majoring in rehabilitation and human services, has been a fixture on the Nittany Lion women's track and cross country teams during her career. On the course, the long-distance runner has competed in three NCAA Cross Country Championships (2011-13), leading the Penn State contingent during the 2013 championships in Terre Haute, Ind. Giannotti also earned All-Region status with a 21st-place finish at the 2012 NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional, which the former All-Big Ten member helped the Nittany Lions win.

On the national scene, the Coudersport, Pa., native qualified for the 2013 NCAA Eastern Preliminary Round in the 10,000 meters and for the 2012 edition of the meet in the steeplechase. A graduate student, she placed third in the 3,000-meter steeplechase in the USATF Junior Outdoor Championships.

Foulsham was among five recipients of the Oswald Award. The John W. Oswald Award, established in 1983, annually recognizes graduating seniors who have provided outstanding leadership in at least one of several areas of activity at the University. The award features a medallion honoring John W. Oswald, president of the University from 1970-83.

The Madison, N.J., native is a park and tourism management major in the College of Health and Human Development and a four-year member of the women's lacrosse team. She has served as the team's Student Athlete Advisory Board representative since 2010, working with other student-athletes to enhance the relationship between University athletics and the local community.

Nominated by her team members and coaches, she also serves in the Athletic Director's Leadership Institute. The three-time American Lacrosse Conference Academic Honor Roll member has volunteered with LifeLink PSU, developing campus events for students with disabilities.